It's hard to feel sorry for a guy who put himself into this position becuase of a gambling problem, but I have to admire his hard work. The fact hes even getting this chance is pretty impressive. Whatever Rick Pitino is doing, he should keep it up.

(scroll down a little bit, and try to keep your contempt for Pitino in check! Recently he has looked very thin.)

I love this Walter McCarty quote (McCarty is currently O'Brien's assistant in Indiana):

"We've taken him through some tough workouts a lot of people wouldn't make it through," McCarty said. "There have been times where I know he's hurting and his body wants to give up, but he gets through it. He's going to do anything to get there."

There are plenty of people here, fellow Celtics fans who unfortunately are quick to bash Antoine Walker no matter what. But even if you don't like the guy, let's keep things in perspective.... BOTH times after the Celtics traded Walker, we immediately got worse, and made the wrong kind of history (in 04 w/o Walker we became the first team in the modern 16 team playoff format to get swept in a best of 7 AND lose all 4 games by double figures; in 06-07 we set the team record for longest losing streak). Walker's versatility and leadership were always a big part of our successes and in rejuvenating the Celtics with the first post-Bird ECF appearance in 2002. Hey, in the end it worked out in 2008, but let's not scapegoat Walker for the Celtics earlier problems. Walker and Pierce were never the problem; we needed a key 3rd guy or a reliable big man/point guard. For example, it's too bad that in the 01 draft we selected Joe Forte at 21 when Tony Parker and Gilbert Arenas were both available.

Absolutely. Never count out a comeback from the man who inspired the greatest 4th quarter comeback in NBA playoff history. In case anyone missed it here's a video of him working out with Pitino back in May... http://www.nationofblue.com/pitino-helps-antoine-walker-make-nba-return-1330/ (scroll down a little bit, and try to keep your contempt for Pitino in check! Recently he has looked very thin.) I love this Walter McCarty quote (McCarty is currently O'Brien's assistant in Indiana): "We've taken him through some tough workouts a lot of people wouldn't make it through," McCarty said. "There have been times where I know he's hurting and his body wants to give up, but he gets through it. He's going to do anything to get there." There are plenty of people here, fellow Celtics fans who unfortunately are quick to bash Antoine Walker no matter what. But even if you don't like the guy, let's keep things in perspective.... BOTH times after the Celtics traded Walker, we immediately got worse, and made the wrong kind of history (in 04 w/o Walker we became the first team in the modern 16 team playoff format to get swept in a best of 7 AND lose all 4 games by double figures; in 06-07 we set the team record for longest losing streak). Walker's versatility and leadership were always a big part of our successes and in rejuvenating the Celtics with the first post-Bird ECF appearance in 2002. Hey, in the end it worked out in 2008, but let's not scapegoat Walker for the Celtics earlier problems. Walker and Pierce were never the problem; we needed a key 3rd guy or a reliable big man/point guard. For example, it's too bad that in the 01 draft we selected Joe Forte at 21 when Tony Parker and Gilbert Arenas were both available. Posted by toineson

I respect Antoine and all he did for the Celtics. Sometime he was the hero and at times he was the Goat.

The biggest thing I saw in Toine's personality was when he was trying to make...more salary, more fame, a new comtract or more glory, he was a ball of fire. After he achieved his goal he became a liability.

As much as I hope all the best for him..I don't believe the Celtics need him.

In Response to Re: Are you rooting for Antoine Walker? : The work outside of basketball generally pays by the hour, not by the millions and millions. In terms of his beating gambling, the best that AW could hope for is to find a money manager who will put him on an allowance/budget and not give him the opportunity to gamble beyond his means. Not exactly cold turkey... but like most gamblers, AW will find ways to satisfy that gambling itch. He just needs to do it within reason without totally destroying his finances. The Methadone approach! PudPosted by puddinpuddin

A person with a gambling problem as severe as Antoine won't be able to contol it. He may for a while, but it won't last. Gambling addiction is a lot like alcoholism or drug addiction. Once addicted there's no such thing as moderation anymore. Moderation doesn't work for an addict. They will eventually go back to their former pattern. Take it from a compulsive gambler who's been in successful recovery for the past 3 years. Gambling addiction rehabilitation uses the 12 step program just like alcohol and drug addiction.

I'm not rooting against Antoine... I hope he recovers and can clean up the wreckage he created for himself. I've never had millions of dollars to play with but I can imagine myself going nuts and acting irresponsibly. Maybe a feeling of invincibility or something like that. However, I can't really conceive numbers like owing a casino a million dollars for bad checks. I live paycheck to paycheck, so it's hard to have sympathy for someone who blew NBA salary money. Unlike the Birdman, I wouldn't play the game for free, but I'd sure love to earn a living by playing a game. Everyone's life is a struggle especially since we spent all that money on wars and bank executive bonuses. I heard this expression once: If everyone threw their problems into a big pile in the middle of a room we would all go into the pile and pick up our own problems over someone else's. I wouldn't want Antoine Walker's life and I'm sure he wouldn't want mine. It's very hard to dislike the man. Altho I despised the way he played the game, he seemed like a pretty nice guy But to earn millions to play a game and then blow it all so badly he needs to crawl to Charlotte from Louisville is just sad. I guess I get tired of professional athelete's irresponsibilities. Lastly, I'm a bit shocked by the blow up in his financial life. He came from poverty on Chicago's South Side if I'm not mistaken. One would think he would take care not to revisit that world. I keep thinking of Leon Powe growing up sleeping in cars instead of a bed. It's all very sad. Prayers for Antoine.

I don't know how any real Celtic fan(or anyone that understands the game of basketball) could root against Antoine. He helped bring this franchise back to respectability. It always blew my mind that there were fans that had so much venom towards him.

You can say whatever you want about him. The facts is, the guy played his heart out. He left it all out on the floor every night. He was passionate and had a burning desire to win. In this age of pampered, apathetic stars and players, he was driven to win. He was a throwback. These days, you see far too many guys like Rasheed and Mark Blount. You can just tell that losing doesn't bother these guys the way it should.

So yeah, I'm rooting for him. But it kills me to think of him coming back in a place like Indiana. I'd rather see him go somewhere that has a legit shot (except the Lakers) But I guess he needs the money. And a job is a job. The thing is, he needs to get this gambling thing under control. Money is the last thing that will fix a gambling issue.

I would love to see him back on the Celtics. But I will wish him luck wherever he goes

i hope antoine makes it back and gets to make some money to retire on.

the saddest part of all is that there are legions, droves of kids coming into the nba still yet who have no clue how to manage money and twon is just one of many who blow the coins on the posse, gambling, women, etc.

watch the headlines in the coming years. JR Rider, D. Coleman, Iverson, and those are just the most well known flat broke nba-ers. there are tons of others who barely break a ripple in the news world when the stories of them going under or being under break the news wire. i read an article in the spring time about some dude who lives out of his car in FL who was moderately successful in the league.

and then you read about a guy like harold miner who was an absolute bust but made the most of his 4 million or whatever it was and is pretty well set for life.

there must be something to be done to help these kids on the front end of things before they get hooked into the destruction cycle. the most helpful thing would be staying in for a four year run and a college degree and hence some security later in life, but we can't have that any more.

in that regard, david stern reminds me of vince mcmahon. there could definitely be a much better job done looking out for these kids long term interests.

I'm not a fan of Walker as a player. But I do hope that he can get his life under control and beat his addiction. I can't judge him for what he's done, but I can only hope that he helps himself, and finds the right kind of people to have around him.

Damn gambling, at a low level it can be fun but it's a waste of money! Just hate seeing people, in particular a guy like Walker who had the world at his feet, end up in such a sorry situation though his addiction.

I just hope and pray that he can get his life back in control.

I find it unfathomable that any modern NBA player who's earning a fortune can find themselves destitute. As a poster above said, these guys need courses in money management from their teams, something, anything to ensure they have a comfortable retirement.

Walker has million dollar opportunity, Che has 1 dollar opportunity. Because of his millions, he repeatedly abused his opportunities. I never experiencedabusing my limited resources. Now he is looking for another job so as my neighbor who couldn't find a job since. No guaranteehe will not gamble his money but I know my neighbor will use it to feed his family. When there are millions of families struggling today, do I feel sorry for him?

He was last in my list but my heart bleeds for those who never been in a million lifestyle, who struggled & can't feed their families because of svcky economy. Today, one strike you're out!Stop the drama, reality check.

I'm not a fan of Walker as a player. But I do hope that he can get his life under control and beat his addiction. I can't judge him for what he's done, but I can only hope that he helps himself, and finds the right kind of people to have around him. Damn gambling, at a low level it can be fun but it's a waste of money! Just hate seeing people, in particular a guy like Walker who had the world at his feet, end up in such a sorry situation though his addiction. I just hope and pray that he can get his life back in control. I find it unfathomable that any modern NBA player who's earning a fortune can find themselves destitute. As a poster above said, these guys need courses in money management from their teams, something, anything to ensure they have a comfortable retirement.Posted by RUWorthy

No joke... I hope this doesn't happen, but I think the Lakers should bring him to camp and give him a look. Luke Walton likely out for the year, and Walker is another strong passer, and a guy who can get hot from three. In other words, I think he'd be a good fit in the triangle. He can play both the 3 and the 4 and even play a little point. He could set up Kobe like he used to do for Pierce and Wade. I doubt that Kupchak goes in this direction but personally I'd prefer Walker to Walton injury or not.

In Response to Re: Are you rooting for Antoine Walker? : No joke... I hope this doesn't happen, but I think the Lakers should bring him to camp and give him a look. Luke Walton likely out for the year, and Walker is another strong passer, and a guy who can get hot from three. In other words, I think he'd be a good fit in the triangle. He can play both the 3 and the 4 and even play a little point. He could set up Kobe like he used to do for Pierce and Wade. I doubt that Kupchak goes in this direction but personally I'd prefer Walker to Walton injury or not. Posted by toineson

_

I think this is a great idea. I would love to see Antoine in Laker gold.

Sorry, but it's over. No team will have this old guy on its team. It's a novelty, but it will end in disaster. The man cannot play anymore, and he's coming with baggage. PP, will have a hard time this year, also. Simply, the C's are to old to compete a full season. They'll have flashes, but overall they will fizzle out. It's a young guys game!

In Response to Re: Are you rooting for Antoine Walker? : No joke... I hope this doesn't happen, but I think the Lakers should bring him to camp and give him a look. Luke Walton likely out for the year, and Walker is another strong passer, and a guy who can get hot from three. In other words, I think he'd be a good fit in the triangle. He can play both the 3 and the 4 and even play a little point. He could set up Kobe like he used to do for Pierce and Wade. I doubt that Kupchak goes in this direction but personally I'd prefer Walker to Walton injury or not. Posted by toineson

This is a very unlikely scenario. The Lakers have Artest and Barnes they have to spread minutes to at the three spot. Then they have an oft injured Luke Walton, and the rookie Devin Ebanks. There is just no room for him. I am interested in taking his action if he wants.

I watched the clip that David Aldridge did on Antoine Walker also. Antoine looks to be in very good shape. He means business. I would think that some team would pick him up for the minimum salary of about 1. 4 million for a veteran of his tenure. I doubt if it will be the Celtics. Possibly the Heat.

Do you think it's possible that Danny Ainge will give Antoine a 3rd stint with the C's? I recall Antoine being upset with Ainge and talking some trash about him to the press about 5 or so years ago. I was surprised after all of that that Danny brought Toine back. I would be very surprised to see him with the C's again.